Amidu, Bobe help Leopards beat Arrows

06 Mar 2013

A goal in each half from Brian Abbas Amidu and Mongezi Bobe handed Black Leopards only their fourth win in the Absa Premiership as they beat Golden Arrows 2-1 at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night.

The first 45 minutes was a half controlled by the home side, but for all their possession early on they weren’t really able to breach a stubborn Arrows defence and consequently had to shoot from long range.

Leopards’ first real shot on goal came in the 14th minute when Brian Abbas Amidu let rip with a right-footed volley from the edge of the 18-yard box, but his effort sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.

Five minutes later and Arrows keeper, Cedric Gumede, was called into action for the first time when he plucked a powerful 35-yard shot from Nkosiyabo Xakane out of the air.

As the half progressed Arrows began to see more of the ball and had a chance on goal themselves in the 26th minute as Thanduyise Khuboni rifled in a 25-yard shot, but it was comfortably saved by Azwindini Maphaha.

In the 29th minute Leopards finally made their pressure tell when Amidu handed them the lead after latching onto a Diala Manaka cross with a powerful header, 1-0.

Two minutes later and Raymond Monama should really have doubled his side’s lead when he met an in-swinging corner, but his close range header went over the crossbar under no pressure from the defence.

The half ended 1-0 in favour of the home side.

The second 45 saw Leopards continue in the same pattern as Jean Mugananga shot from 25-yards out, but he saw his effort go inches wide of the upright.

Nine minutes later, though, and the home side were able to double their lead through Mongezi Bobe.

The goal was nicely set-up by Raymond Monama who worked the ball into the box from the left and found Bobe who made no mistake from 12-yards out with a clinical finish, 2-0.

Arrows did manage to find a consolation goal through second half substitute Lucky Nguzana in the 88th minute, but it was too little too late as the game ended 2-1 in favour of Leopards who picked up their fourth league win of the season and consequently breaking a four match losing streak as well.